Friday, March 9th, 7:00 p.m. (et).FACTS & STATS: Site: Madison Square Garden (19,763) -- New York, New York. Television: ESPN. Home Record: Notre Dame 18-0, Georgetown 14-3. Away Record: Notre Dame 3-5, Georgetown 9-3. Neutral Record: Notre Dame 3-1, Georgetown 1-0. Conference Record: Notre Dame 11-5, Georgetown 13-3. Series Record: Georgetown leads, 12-9.
The Irish have won 6 in a row, including the win yesterday over Syracuse 89-83. Georgetown got to this point by beating Villanova in the Quarterfinals yesterday. Hoyas jumped all over Villanova early in the game, but the Wildcats never gave up and made a game of it.
Notre Dame has never won the Big East Tournament, and they are 4-11 all-time at this event. The last time these two met was on Janurary 6th and the Hoyas took care of business and the Irish to win the game 66-48. Georgetown took an 11 point lead at half and the Irish never recovered. In that game the Irish shot just 30% from the field and under 20% from the 3 point line. Now Carter and Falls are 40.3 percent from three-point range and have the confidence that is needed to come up big. Their leadership will carry Notre Dame in this game. This game was also around the Kyle McAlarney debacle time and the team did not have an identity. Coach Brey, COY, has them playing for a Reason and this is the next step.
Holding the Hoyas two main guys, Hibbert & Green, in check is very important. Villanova did this in the second half and almost made up a 20+ point deficit. The key to the game for the Irish will be Falls and Carter. Getting a game like yesterday from both of them will lead to an Irish Victory and a spot in the finals against the winner of the Louisville/Pittsburgh game.
Georgetown is favored by four in this game, but I see the Irish coming away with a victory. It will be a tough one to watch as the score will stay close most of the game, but don't blink or you will miss the Notre Dame victory.
Final Score:
ND 74
GT 71
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